Detecting a Gesture Made by a Person Wearing a Wearable Electronic Device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device that can be worn on a limb of a user can include a processing device and one or more position sensing devices operatively connected to the processing device. The processing device can be adapted to determine which limb of the user is wearing the electronic device based on one or more signals received from at least one position sensing device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/366,677, filed Mar. 27, 2019, and entitled “Detecting a Gesture MadeBy a Person Wearing a Wearable Electronic Device,” which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/118,053, filed onAug. 10, 2016, and entitled “Detecting the Limb Wearing a WearableElectronic Device,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,254,804, which is a 35 U.S.C. §371 application of PCT/US2014/015829, filed on Feb. 11, 2014, andentitled “Detecting the Limb Wearing a Wearable Electronic Device,” bothof which are incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electronic devices, and moreparticularly to wearable electronic devices. Still more particularly,the present invention relates to detecting the limb of a user that iswearing a wearable electronic device based on at least one signal fromone or more position sensing devices.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices such as smart telephones, tablet computingdevices, and multimedia players are popular. These electronic devicescan be used for performing a wide variety of tasks and in somesituations, can be worn on the body of a user. As an example, a portableelectronic device can be worn on a limb of a user, such as on the wrist,arm, ankle, or leg. Knowing whether the electronic device is worn on theleft or right limb can be helpful or necessary information for someportable electronic devices or applications. For example, it can benecessary to know whether the electronic device is worn on a left orright limb when the electronic device includes one or more biometricapplications, such as an electrocardiography application or a medicalmeasurement or diagnostic application.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a wearable electronic device can include one or moreposition sensing devices and a processing device. Aprocessor-implemented method for determining a limb wearing the wearableelectronic device can include receiving one or more signals from atleast one position sensing device for a given period of time, andanalyzing at least one signal to determine the limb wearing the wearableelectronic device. In one embodiment, one or more limb gestures and/or alimb positions may be recognized and the limb wearing the electronicdevice is determined based on the recognized limb gesture(s) and/orposition(s). Examples of position sensing devices include, but are notlimited to, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and/or a magnetometer. The atleast one signal can be processed by the processing device prior toanalyzing the signal or signals. For example, a histogram can beproduced, or a two-dimensional or three-dimensional plot can be createdbased on the at least one signal. In one embodiment, a patternrecognition algorithm can be performed on the at least one signal todetermine which limb of the user is wearing the electronic device.

In another aspect, an electronic device that can be worn on a limb of auser can include a processing device and one or more position sensingdevices operatively connected to the processing device. The processingdevice may be adapted to determine which limb of the user is wearing theelectronic device based on one or more signals received from at leastone position sensing device. In one embodiment, one or more limbgestures and/or a limb positions may be recognized and the limb wearingthe electronic device is determined based on the recognized limbgesture(s) and/or position(s).

And in yet another aspect, a system can include an electronic devicethat can be worn on a limb of a user. The electronic device can includea processing device and one or more position sensing devices operativelyconnected to the processing device. A display and a memory can each beoperatively connected to, or in communication with the processingdevice. The display and/or the memory can be included in the wearableelectronic device or can be separate from the electronic device. Thememory may be adapted to store one or more applications. The processingdevice can be adapted to determine which limb of the user is wearing theelectronic device based on one or more signals received from at leastone position sensing device. The processing device may also be adaptedto provide data to at least one application based on the limb determinedto be wearing the electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily toscale relative to each other. Identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical features that are common tothe figure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a wearable electronicdevice that can include, or be connected to one or more position sensingdevices;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative block diagram of the wearable electronicdevice 100 shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a wearable electronic device on or near the rightwrist and the left wrist of a user;

FIGS. 4-5 illustrate two positions of the wearable electronic deviceshown in FIG. 1 when worn on the right wrist of a user;

FIGS. 6-7 depict two positions of the wearable electronic device shownin FIG. 1 when worn on the left wrist of a user;

FIG. 8 illustrates example signals from an accelerometer based on thetwo positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 9 depicts example signals from an accelerometer based on the twopositions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example plot of x and y axes data received froman accelerometer based on the two positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 11 depicts an example plot of x and y axes data obtained from anaccelerometer based on the two positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 12 illustrates example histograms of the x, y, and z axes datareceived from an accelerometer based on the two positions shown in FIGS.4 and 5;

FIG. 13 depicts example histograms of the x, y, and z axes data obtainedfrom an accelerometer based on the two positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;and

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example method for determining a limbwearing a wearable electronic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments described herein provide an electronic device that can beworn on a limb of a user. The electronic device can include a processingdevice and one or more position sensing devices operatively connected tothe processing device. Additionally or alternatively, one or moreposition sensing device can be included in the band used to attach thewearable electronic device to the limb and operatively connected to theprocessing device. And in some embodiments, a processing device separatefrom the wearable electronic device can be operatively connected to theposition sensing device(s). The processing device can be adapted todetermine which limb of the user is wearing the electronic device basedon one or more signals received from at least one position sensingdevice. For example, in one embodiment a limb gesture and/or a limbposition may be recognized and the limb wearing the electronic devicedetermined based on the recognized limb gesture and/or position.

A wearable electronic device can include any type of electronic devicethat can be worn on a limb of a user. The wearable electronic device canbe affixed to a limb of the human body such as a wrist, an ankle, anarm, or a leg. Such electronic devices include, but are not limited to,a health or fitness assistant device, a digital music player, a smarttelephone, a computing device or display, and a device that providestime. In some embodiments, the wearable electronic device is worn on alimb of a user with a band that attaches to the limb and includes aholder or case to detachably or removably hold the electronic device,such as an armband, an ankle bracelet, a leg band, and/or a wristband.In other embodiments, the wearable electronic device is permanentlyaffixed or attached to a band, and the band attaches to the limb of theuser.

As one example, the wearable electronic device can be implemented as awearable health assistant that provides health-related information(whether real-time or not) to the user, authorized third parties, and/oran associated monitoring device. The device may be configured to providehealth-related information or data such as, but not limited to, heartrate data, blood pressure data, temperature data, blood oxygensaturation level data, diet/nutrition information, medical reminders,health-related tips or information, or other health-related data. Theassociated monitoring device may be, for example, a tablet computingdevice, phone, personal digital assistant, computer, and so on.

As another example, the electronic device can be configured in the formof a wearable communications device. The wearable communications devicemay include a processor coupled with or in communication with a memory,one or more communication interfaces, output devices such as displaysand speakers, and one or more input devices. The communicationinterface(s) can provide electronic communications between thecommunications device and any external communication network, device orplatform, such as but not limited to wireless interfaces, Bluetoothinterfaces, USB interfaces, Wi-Fi interfaces, TCP/IP interfaces, networkcommunications interfaces, or any conventional communication interfaces.The wearable communications device may provide information regardingtime, health, statuses or externally connected or communicating devicesand/or software executing on such devices, messages, video, operatingcommands, and so forth (and may receive any of the foregoing from anexternal device), in addition to communications.

Any suitable type of position sensing device can be included in, orconnected to a wearable electronic device. By way of example only, aposition sensing device can be one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes,magnetometers, proximity, and/or inertial sensors. Additionally, aposition sensing device can be implemented with any type of sensingtechnology, including, but not limited to, capacitive, ultrasonic,inductive, piezoelectric, and optical technologies.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of oneexample of a wearable electronic device that can include, or beconnected to one or more position sensing devices. In the illustratedembodiment, the electronic device 100 is implemented as a wearablecomputing device. Other embodiments can implement the electronic devicedifferently. For example, the electronic device can be a smarttelephone, a gaming device, a digital music player, a device thatprovides time, a health assistant, and other types of electronic devicesthat include, or can be connected to a position sensing device(s).

The wearable electronic device 100 includes an enclosure 102 at leastpartially surrounding a display 104 and one or more buttons 106 or inputdevices. The enclosure 102 can form an outer surface or partial outersurface and protective case for the internal components of theelectronic device 100, and may at least partially surround the display104. The enclosure 102 can be formed of one or more components operablyconnected together, such as a front piece and a back piece.Alternatively, the enclosure 102 can be formed of a single pieceoperably connected to the display 104.

The display 104 can be implemented with any suitable technology,including, but not limited to, a multi-touch sensing touchscreen thatuses liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED)technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organicelectroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of displaytechnology. One button 106 can take the form of a home button, which maybe a mechanical button, a soft button (e.g., a button that does notphysically move but still accepts inputs), an icon or image on a displayor on an input region, and so on. Further, in some embodiments, thebutton or buttons 106 can be integrated as part of a cover glass of theelectronic device.

The wearable electronic device 100 can be permanently or removablyattached to a band 108. The band 108 can be made of any suitablematerial, including, but not limited to, leather, metal, rubber orsilicon, fabric, and ceramic. In the illustrated embodiment, the band isa wristband that wraps around the user's wrist. The wristband caninclude an attachment mechanism (not shown), such as a bracelet clasp,Velcro, and magnetic connectors. In other embodiments, the band can beelastic or stretchy such that it fits over the hand of the user and doesnot include an attachment mechanism.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative block diagram of the wearable electronicdevice 100 shown in FIG. 1. The electronic device 100 can include thedisplay 104, one or more processing devices 200, memory 202, one or moreinput/output (I/O) devices 204, one or more sensors 206, a power source208, a network communications interface 210, and one or more positionsensing devices 212. The display 104 may provide an image or videooutput for the electronic device 100. The display may also provide aninput surface for one or more input devices, such as, for example, atouch sensing device and/or a fingerprint sensor. The display 104 may besubstantially any size and may be positioned substantially anywhere onthe electronic device 100.

The processing device 200 can control some or all of the operations ofthe electronic device 100. The processing device 200 can communicate,either directly or indirectly, with substantially all of the componentsof the electronic device 100. For example, a system bus or signal line214 or other communication mechanisms can provide communication betweenthe processing device(s) 200, the memory 202, the I/O device(s) 204, thesensor(s) 206, the power source 208, the network communicationsinterface 210, and/or the position sensing device(s) 212. The one ormore processing devices 200 can be implemented as any electronic devicecapable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions.For example, the processing device(s) 200 can each be a microprocessor,a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or combinations ofsuch devices. As described herein, the term “processing device” is meantto encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors,multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computingelement or elements.

The memory 202 can store electronic data that can be used by theelectronic device 100. For example, a memory can store electrical dataor content such as, for example, audio and video files, documents andapplications, device settings and user preferences, timing signals,signals received from the one or more position sensing devices, one ormore pattern recognition algorithms, data structures or databases, andso on. The memory 202 can be configured as any type of memory. By way ofexample only, the memory can be implemented as random access memory,read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, or other types ofstorage elements, or combinations of such devices.

The one or more I/O devices 204 can transmit and/or receive data to andfrom a user or another electronic device. One example of an I/O deviceis button 106 in FIG. 1. The I/O device(s) 204 can include a display, atouch sensing input surface such as a trackpad, one or more buttons, oneor more microphones or speakers, one or more ports such as a microphoneport, and/or a keyboard.

The electronic device 100 may also include one or more sensors 206positioned substantially anywhere on the electronic device 100. Thesensor or sensors 206 may be configured to sense substantially any typeof characteristic, such as but not limited to, images, pressure, light,touch, heat, biometric data, and so on. For example, the sensor(s) 206may be an image sensor, a heat sensor, a light or optical sensor, apressure transducer, a magnet, a health monitoring sensor, a biometricsensor, and so on.

The power source 208 can be implemented with any device capable ofproviding energy to the electronic device 100. For example, the powersource 208 can be one or more batteries or rechargeable batteries, or aconnection cable that connects the remote control device to anotherpower source such as a wall outlet.

The network communication interface 210 can facilitate transmission ofdata to or from other electronic devices. For example, a networkcommunication interface can transmit electronic signals via a wirelessand/or wired network connection. Examples of wireless and wired networkconnections include, but are not limited to, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,IR, and Ethernet.

The one or more position sensing devices 212 can each record theposition, orientation, and/or movement of the electronic device. Eachposition sensing device can be an absolute or a relative positionsensing device. The position sensing device or devices can beimplemented as any suitable position sensor and/or system. Each positionsensing device 212 can sense position, orientation, and/or movementalong one or more axes. For example, a position sensing device 212 canbe one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes, and/or magnetometers. As willbe described in more detail later, a signal or signals received from atleast one position sensing device are analyzed to determine which limbof a user is wearing the electronic device. The wearing limb can bedetermined by detecting and classifying the movement patterns while theuser is wearing the electronic device. The movement patterns can bedetected continuously, periodically, or at select times.

It should be noted that FIGS. 1 and 2 are illustrative only. In otherexamples, an electronic device may include fewer or more components thanthose shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Additionally or alternatively, theelectronic device can be included in a system and one or more componentsshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are separate from the electronic device butincluded in the system. For example, a wearable electronic device may beoperatively connected to, or in communication with a separate display.As another example, one or more applications can be stored in a memoryseparate from the wearable electronic device. The processing device inthe electronic device can be operatively connected to and incommunication with the separate display and/or memory. And in anotherexample, at least one of the one or more position sensing devices 212can be included in the band attached to the electronic device andoperable connected to, or in communication with a processing device.

Embodiments described herein include an electronic device that is wornon a wrist of a user. However, as discussed earlier, a wearableelectronic device can be worn on any limb, and on any part of a limb.FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a wearable electronic device on or near the rightwrist and the left wrist of a user. In some embodiments, a Cartesiancoordinate system can be used to determine the positive and negativedirections for the wearable electronic device 100. The determinedpositive and negative directions can be detected and used whenclassifying the movement patterns of the electronic device.

For example, the positive and negative x and y directions can be basedon when the electronic device is worn on the right wrist of a user (seeFIG. 3A). The positive and negative directions for each axis withrespect to the electronic device is arbitrary but can be fixed once theposition sensing device is mounted in the electronic device. In terms ofthe Cartesian coordinate system, the positive y-direction can be set tothe position of the right arm being in a relaxed state and positioneddown along the side of the body with the palm facing toward the body,while the zero position for the y-direction can be the position wherethe right arm is bent at substantially a ninety degree angle. Thepositive and negative directions can be set to different positions inother embodiments. A determination as to which limb is wearing thedevice can be based on the movement and/or positioning of the devicebased on the set positive and negative directions.

The buttons 106 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the change in thepositive and negative directions of the x and y axes when the electronicdevice is moved from one wrist to the other. Once the x and y directionsare fixed as if the electronic device is positioned on the right wrist300 (FIG. 3A), the directions reverse when the electronic device is wornon the left wrist 302 (FIG. 3B). Other embodiments can set the positiveand negative directions differently. For example, the positive andnegative directions may depend on the type of electronic device, the useof the electronic device, and/or the positions, orientations, andmovements that the electronic device may be subjected to or experience.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are shown two positions of thewearable electronic device shown in FIG. 1 when the electronic device isworn on the right wrist of a user. FIG. 4 illustrates a first position402, where the right arm 404 of a user 406 is in a relaxed state withthe arm down along the side of the body and the palm facing toward thebody. FIG. 5 depicts a second position 500, where the right arm 404 isbent substantially at a ninety degree angle with the palm facing downtoward the ground. The left arm 502 may also be bent to permit the lefthand to interact with the electronic device.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict two positions of the wearable electronic deviceshown in FIG. 1 when the electronic device is worn on the left wrist ofa user. FIG. 6 illustrates a third position 600, where the left arm 602of the user 604 is in a relaxed state with the arm down along the sideof the body and the palm facing toward the body. FIG. 7 shows a fourthposition 700, where the left arm 602 is bent substantially at a ninetydegree angle with the palm facing down toward the ground.

In other embodiments, the limb the electronic device is affixed to maybe positioned in any orientation or can move in other directions. Forexample, an arm of the user can be positioned at an angle greater to, orlesser than ninety degrees. Additionally or alternatively, a limb can bepositioned or moved away from the body in any direction or directions.For example, a limb can be moved in front of and/or in back of the body,

Embodiments described herein may process one or more signals receivedfrom at least one position sensing device and analyze the processedsignals to determine which limb of the user is wearing the wearableelectronic device. For example, a two-dimensional or three-dimensionalplot of the signal or signals can be produced, as shown in FIGS. 8-11.Additionally or alternatively, a histogram based on the signal(s) can begenerated, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The plot(s) and/or histogram canbe analyzed to determine the wearing limb of the electronic device. Inone embodiment, a pattern recognition algorithm can be performed on thesignal or signals or processed signal(s) to recognize a limb gestureand/or a limb position, and based on that determination, determine whichlimb or body part is wearing the electronic device.

FIG. 8 depicts example signals from an accelerometer based on the twopositions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, while FIG. 9 illustrates examplesignals from the accelerometer based on the two positions shown in FIGS.6 and 7. The accelerometer is configured as a three axis accelerometerand each plot is a signal measured along a respective axis as the arm ismoved from one position to another position. For example, as shown inFIG. 3A, the electronic device can be moved from the first position 402to the second position 500 and/or from the second position 500 to thefirst position 402 when the electronic device is worn on the rightwrist. The plots in FIG. 8 depict the movement from the first position402 to the second position 500. When on the left wrist as illustrated inFIG. 3B, the electronic device can be moved from the third position 600to the fourth position 700 and/or from the fourth position 700 to thethird position 600. FIG. 9 depicts the plots for the movement from thethird position 600 to the fourth position 700.

In FIG. 8, plot 800 represents the signal measured along the x-axis,plot 802 the signal along the y-axis, and plot 804 the signal along thez-axis. In FIG. 9, plot 900 represents the signal produced along thex-axis, plot 902 the signal along the y-axis, and plot 904 the signalalong the z-axis. The x and y axes correspond to the axes shown in FIGS.3A and 3B. In reviewing the illustrative plot 802 when the electronicdevice 400 is worn on the right wrist, the value of y at the firstposition 402 is substantially plus one. At the second position 500, thevalue of y is substantially zero. Comparing plot 802 to plot 902 (device400 is worn on the left wrist), the value of y at the third position 402is substantially minus one, while the value of y at the fourth positionis substantially zero. One or more of the plots shown in FIG. 8 or FIG.9 can be analyzed to determine which limb of a user is wearing theelectronic device.

It should be noted that since the electronic device can be positioned ormoved in any direction, the values of the plots can be different inother embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown an example two-dimensional plotof samples obtained from an accelerometer based on the two positionsshown in FIGS. 4 and 5, where the electronic device is worn on the rightwrist. The signals received from the x-axis are plotted along thehorizontal axis and the samples obtained from the y-axis are plottedalong the vertical axis. Other embodiments can produce plots of the xand z axes, and/or the y and z axes. The plot 1000 represents a usermoving the electronic device once from the first position 402 to thesecond position 500 and then back to the first position 402. Thus, thearrow 1004 represents the movement from the first position 402 to thesecond position 500, while the arrow 1002 represents the movement of theelectronic device from the second position 500 to the first position402.

In contrast, the plot in FIG. 11 represents a user moving the electronicdevice located on the left wrist once from the third position 600 to thefourth position 700 and then back to the third position 600. Like theplot 1000, the signals received from the x-axis are plotted along thehorizontal axis and the samples obtained from the y-axis are plottedalong the vertical axis. The arrow 1102 represents the movement from thethird position 600 to the fourth position 700 and the arrow 1104represents the movement of the electronic device from the fourthposition 700 to the third position 600. The plot shown in FIG. 10 orFIG. 11 may be analyzed to determine which limb of a user is wearing theelectronic device.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown an example histogram of thesamples obtained from an accelerometer based on the two positions shownin FIGS. 4 and 5. As described earlier, FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate twopositions of an electronic device that is worn on the right wrist. Thehistogram 1200 is a graphical representation of the distribution of thesignals measured along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis. Thehistogram can be analyzed to determine which limb of a user is wearingthe electronic device.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example histogram of the samples obtained from anaccelerometer based on the two positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Asdescribed earlier, FIGS. 6 and 7 depict two positions of an electronicdevice that is worn on the left wrist. Like the embodiment shown in FIG.12, the histogram 1300 is a graphical representation of the distributionof the samples measured along the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis,and the histogram can be analyzed to determine which limb of a user iswearing the electronic device.

Referring now to FIG. 14, there is shown a flowchart of an examplemethod for determining a limb wearing a wearable electronic device.Initially, at least one signal produced by a position sensing device issampled over a given period of time (block 1400). For example, a signalproduced by an accelerometer for the y-axis can be sampled for thirty orsixty seconds, or any other time period. As another example, multiplesignals produced by a position sensing device can be sampled for a knownperiod of time. The signal or signals can be sampled periodically or atselect times. In some embodiments, the signal(s) can be sampledcontinuously.

The sampled signal or signals can optionally be buffered or stored in astorage device at block 1402. Next, as shown in block 1404, thesignal(s) can be processed. As one example, the signal or signals can beplotted over the given period of time, an example of which is shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. As another example, the signal(s) can be representedgraphically in a two-dimension or three-dimension plot. Examples oftwo-dimension plots are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Still otherembodiments may process the samples to generate a histogram, examples ofwhich are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

The signal or signals are then analyzed to determine which limb of auser is wearing the electronic device (block 1406). In one embodiment, apattern recognition algorithm can be performed on the signals orprocessed signals to recognize one or more limb gestures and/or limbpositions and classify them as from the right or left limb. Any suitabletype of pattern recognition algorithm can be used to recognize thegestures and/or positions. For example, the signal or signals from atleast one position sensing device can be classified using the GaussianMixture Models in two categories corresponding to the left and rightlimb (e.g., wrist) wearing the electronic device. The feature vector tobe analyzed by the classifier may contain up to three dimensions if, forexample, an accelerometer with three axes is used, or up to ninedimensions if an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer, eachwith 3 axes, are used.

The limb determined to be wearing the electronic device can then beprovided to at least one application running on the electronic device,or running remotely and communicating with the electronic device (block1408). The method can end after the information is provided to anapplication. For example, the determined limb information can beprovided to an application that is performing biomedical orphysiological data collection on the user. The data collection canrelate to blood pressure, temperature, and/or pulse transit time.Additionally or alternatively, the application can be collecting data toassist in diagnosing peripheral vascular disease, such as peripheralartery disease or peripheral artery occlusion disease. Knowing whichlimb the data or measurements were collected from assists in diagnosingthe disease.

Various embodiments have been described in detail with particularreference to certain features thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the disclosure. And even though specific embodiments have beendescribed herein, it should be noted that the application is not limitedto these embodiments. In particular, any features described with respectto one embodiment may also be used in other embodiments, wherecompatible. Likewise, the features of the different embodiments may beexchanged, where compatible.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device wearable by a user,comprising: a processor included within the electronic device; and oneor more sensors included within the electronic device; wherein, theprocessor is configured to: receive, over time, measurements from theone or more sensors; determine, at least partly from the measurements, amovement pattern of the electronic device, the movement patternincluding movements of the electronic device with respect to two or moreaxes; and identify a gesture of the user indicated by the determinedmovement pattern.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thedetermined movement pattern includes movements of the electronic devicewith respect to three or more axes.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the one or more sensors comprise an accelerometer.
 4. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise athree axis accelerometer.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a microphone; and a speaker.
 6. The electronic device ofclaim 1, further comprising a memory adapted to store a set of one ormore pattern recognition algorithms, wherein the processor is configuredto use the set of one or more pattern recognition algorithms to identifythe gesture.
 7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the processoris configured to identify the gesture by: reading a pattern recognitionalgorithm of the set of one or more pattern recognition algorithms fromthe memory; and applying the pattern recognition algorithm to themovement pattern.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the one or more sensors comprises at least one of: amagnetometer, or a gyroscope.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the movement pattern includes a movement of a body part of theuser between different sides of the user.
 10. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the movement pattern includes a movement of a body partof the user from a raised position to a lowered position.
 11. Anelectronic device wearable by a user, comprising: an enclosure; aprocessor mounted within the enclosure; and a set of one or moreposition sensing devices mounted within the enclosure; wherein, theprocessor is configured to: determine, from a set of outputs of the setof one or more position sensing devices, movements of the electronicdevice with respect to two or more axes; and distinguish between a firstgesture of the user and a second gesture of the user using thedetermined movements.
 12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein thefirst gesture includes a first movement of a body part of the user fromone side of the user to another side of the user.
 13. The electronicdevice of claim 12, wherein the second gesture includes a secondmovement of the body part from a raised position to a lowered position.14. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the determined movementsof the electronic device include movements of the electronic device withrespect to three or more axes.
 15. The electronic device of claim 11,wherein the set of one or more position sensing devices comprises anaccelerometer.
 16. The electronic device of claim 11, furthercomprising: a microphone within the enclosure; and a speaker within theenclosure.
 17. A wearable electronic device, comprising: a processingdevice; and one or more movement sensors; wherein, the processing deviceis configured to recognize, at least partly responsive to signalsgenerated by the one or more movement sensors over time, a set of one ormore movements of the wearable electronic device with respect to two ormore different axes; and the processing device is configured to identifyone or more gestures, made by a user of the wearable electronic device,at least partly in response to the set of one or more movements.
 18. Thewearable electronic device of claim 17, wherein the wearable electronicdevice comprises a device that plays digital music.
 19. The wearableelectronic device of claim 17, wherein identifying the one or moregestures comprises performing a pattern recognition algorithm on the setof one or more movements.
 20. The wearable electronic device of claim17, wherein recognizing the set of one or more movements comprisesproducing a histogram at least partly in response to the signals.